The Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund (AIPFF)

The Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund (AIPFF) exists to increase opportunities for young people in disadvantaged areas to play sport and enjoy its many benefits.


The criteria for funding are:

The fund is available to local community groups, sports clubs, and charities:

  • Based in Greater Manchester, Oxfordshire, Greater London, or the West Midlands, supported by Access Sport’s Changing Places programme
  • Based in or serving a borough or ward within the top 20% Indices of Multiple Deprivation

Grants will typically be in the range from £2.5k – £5k although a larger grant may be possible in some circumstances.

Applications can be made for grants towards some or all the following types of projects with the intention of growing capacity to reach more young people:

  • The development and improvement of playing fields and other facilities
  • The development and training of volunteers including the provision of qualifications
  • The purchase of specialist disability equipment 
  • The development of long-term sustainability, for example marketing and finance expertise
  • The organising, coaching and other key operational costs of running sports activities

Focussed on including young people (up to the age of 25) who otherwise be excluded from sport such as:

  • Disadvantaged young people
  • Women and girls
  • Disabled children and young people
  • Young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

Providing a competitive cost per new participant from within the designated target groups

The AIPFF will not fund 100% of facility builds or renovation projects (capital costs). Clubs requesting funds towards such projects will need to show some other funding has been secured or be willing to work with the Access Sport team to secure third party contributions

Commitment to long-term sustainability

We are unable to support applications for:

  • School facilities that do not have community access
  • Individuals

How to apply

To find out more about applying to the AIPFF, please email 
[email protected]